Japanese police continue to escalate repression against protesters of the Group of 8 Summit, part of a growing trend of human rights suppression in Japan. Police in full riot gear are supported by the Japanese Army, called the Self Defense Forces (SDF). Air and sea missions near the Summit are being carried out in a joint deployment of the SDF and the US military.

Although demonstrations have been non-violent, one mainstream media reporter and 3 other Japanese citizens were arrested over the weekend preceding the Summit. Photos of one driver's arrest shows police yanking him out of the truck though his foot is stuck in the steering wheel. Japanese law permits police to hold and interrogate suspects in the police station for 23 days without formal charges and interrogate suspects for up to 12 hours at a time. Activists are calling on supporters to apply international pressure by contacting a Japanese consulate and voicing complaint.

SF Call for Solidarity with Counter-G8 Protesters in Japan | Japanese MSM ignores demos, focuses on Bush Reassurances | Leaders gather for Japan G8 summit | Anti-G8 protesters are on their way to the G8 Hotel | Demonstrators Sleep in Fields While G8 Leaders Feast | Hundreds Stopped 4 Kilometers away from G8 Summit | G8 Protesters Take to Sapporo Streets in Anticipation of Toyako Summit | G8 in Japan

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